Treating Infectious Processes

Anti-Infectives, Anti-Allergies and Anti-Parasitism
This week, the focus will be on medications that treat infectious processes, prevent and reverse allergic processes, and parasitic processes. Prescribing anti-infectives effectively requires a good grasp on which organisms cause a particular infectious process and, possibly, if it is gram-negative, gram-positive, or atypical in nature.
Anti-allergies can be prescribed to stop or prevent future allergic occurrences. It is important to note that these medications can not reverse a response that has started, only stop its continuing effect. As with all medications, it is important to be aware of side effects, such as drowsiness, drug interactions, and the patient’s co-morbidities.
It can be very stressful for a patient who has been infected with parasites, whether externally or internally. Treatment can also be a stressful process. As a prescriber, selecting the right medication regime and demonstrating a non-judgmental, considerate demeanor is important.

ASSIGNMENT
Discussion Prompt
Part 1:
Choose a condition from the following case studies: (Week 4 Case Studies, attached separately).
Part 2: Answer the following questions

1. Discuss what are the potential treatments for this child’s diagnosis
2. What antibiotic/s should be given for this patient’s diagnosis?
3. How long should you prescribe the chosen antibiotic?
4. What teaching would you give this child’s parents on the prescription?
5. Write out a correct prescription for the antibiotic you are going to prescribe for this patient. (Be sure to include all elements needed for a correct prescription)